Noisy rumbly air con compressor on 987 3.4 S

[zed4]

Hi,

When I turn off eco on my climate control, the air conditioning make a rumbling noise, I think it's coming from the compressor. It's silent when eco is switched on.

Presumably I will need to have the compressor changed. Is this a big job? I've seen the compressor on Design911: http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/pt917_922_-cma81-cmo...

It seems reasonably priced, there are even some used ones on eBay selling for more than this. Is this the same part as fitted from new?

What sort of labour should I expect to have this changed?

Many thanks,

Dan

Edit: Rumbling probably the wrong word, but it's definitely noisy! Could it just be low on gas due to a leak?

Edited by zed4 on Wednesday 2nd March 09:44

[cd1957]

Hi the grumbling noise is normally low gas, have it pressure tested correctly with nitrogen, and usual failure is condensers.

Chris

[zed4]

cd1957 said:

Hi the grumbling noise is normally low gas, have it pressure tested correctly with nitrogen, and usual failure is condensers.

Chris

Well that would be better. Probably easier than the compressor. Condensors seem quite cheap too: http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod13472/Air-Condit...

[zed4]

In fact, even cheaper on eBay, excellent. Looks easy to change too. I just hope it's that.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRAND-NEW-CONDENSER-AIR-...

[996TT02]

If lucky you may see oil stains where the condenser/s is/are leaking. If they are of notable age and the leaky one is not leaking due to physical damage, I would replace both. Don't forget the specific o-rings (a good gassing station should have these too, but check, the sizes may be uncommon - definitely are on a 996). And perhaps the receiver/dryer too if never replaced, should be very cheap on Ebay as (if as 996) a part that is standard across several makes of vehicle. And the o-rings for this, too.

But get a second opinion first because the compressor should not kick in if the gas pressure is very low, although I do not know what happens if it is just plain low but not low enough to activate the cutoff.